PRES. BENSON LEAVES ICU

LDS Church President Ezra Taft Benson was moved from intensive care into a regular room at the LDS Hospital on Friday afternoon and enjoyed his first solid meal.

"The doctors said if he continues to progress the way he has done the past few days he could be released from the hospital before General Conference next weekend," said Don LeFevre, spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The 91-year-old church leader was hospitalized Sept. 18, complaining of severe headaches and difficulty swallowing. The next day, doctors operated to remove two large blood clots from either side of his brain.

President Benson underwent a second operation Sunday when one of the clots reformed. Recent brain scans indicate the clots are not reforming, LeFevre said.

"President Benson can sit up periodically and visits with his family, associates and church leaders," LeFevre said.